The opportunity to get instant quotes online is one of the most convenient features of modern auto transport. However, a common question that arises is whether these quotes remain valid during peak shipping seasons. Knowing the changes of car shipping rates during peak season will empower you to make the right choices and not get shocked by the prices.
In this article, we are going to examine the accuracy of instant quotes during the peak season, briefly providing the main factors affecting prices at that time, and giving some tips on how to get the best deal for your car shipping.
What is Peak Shipping Season?
Before we get into whether instant quotes are legitimate, it is necessary to understand what peak shipping season means. Just like any other industry, the auto transport sector goes through seasonal changes that can have a big impact on the prices.
Key Peak Seasons:
Summer (May to September): The summer period is most often the time of the year when car shipping is at its maximum. The reasons are that people move to other places, go on holidays or buy seasonal cars which means that the transport services get to be in high demand.
Holiday Season (November to January): During the holidays, people usually have to ship their vehicles in order to go to their families or move to new houses. As a result, the need for auto transport rises which can make prices go up.
Spring Break (March to April): The reason why college students and families do car shipping during this time is that they are going to vacation destinations or relocating for work or school.
At these periods, the need for car shipping services is so high that it can be more than the availability and this is the time when the prices can go up. However, does that affect the instant quotes that you get online? Let’s find out.
Are Instant Quotes Valid During Peak Season?
Typically, the instant quotes by autos transport platforms show the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, which are based on the details you provide. Nevertheless, during the period of high demand, the validity of these quotes may falter due to the following reasons:
1. Dynamic Pricing Model
A lot of auto shipping companies depend on dynamic pricing for which the rates in an instant quote can differ according to the factors such as supply and demand, fuel costs, and seasonal variations. Consequently, during the peak season, the rising demand for shipping services is likely to result in higher prices.
Why It Matters: The instant quotes rely on what is available in the market at the time of requesting, but if the demand increases at the peak, the prices might be higher than the ones you have gotten before you make your booking.
How to Handle It: You should never hesitate to book your shipment with the carrier and thus guarantee your rate. If you are late with your decision, the quote might have expired when you arrive at the counter, and you will have to pay a higher price.
2. Availability of Carriers
The presence of transport carriers is sometimes not very certain during peak seasons. So as to have many carriers during off-peak times, it is not enough that they are available, they must also be free, that is, unbooked. A very short time is enough for the carriers to be completely booked up, especially on a hot route during the peak season.
Why It Matters: An instant quote can only be drawn from the list of available carriers at the time but you will still have to wait for availability or pay more for an expedited service in case those carriers get reserved before you.
How to Handle It: It will be good for you to be flexible with your shipment dates. If your time is very limited, then you are better off choosing the expedited shipping method but at a higher cost.
3. Fuel Surcharges
One of the common sources of extra charges in an auto transport industry is fuel surcharges, and they can fluctuate during a peak season. Lower fuel prices may result in a drop in shipments, while higher fuel prices along with a rise in shipments can bring about an additional charge that will be added to your final bill.
Why It Matters: Even though your real-time quote can give an estimated cost of the service, it is quite common that fuel surcharges are not accounted for in the primary quote and can be added at a later time.
How to Handle It: It would be a good idea to always have this question on your lips – are fuel surcharges included in the quoted price, or will they be added later? By doing this, you will be able to make financial plans and adjust your budget accordingly, so you won’t be taken off guard by any price hike.
4. More Competition and Reduced Flexibility
In high season, the demand for car shipping services is so high that several individuals and companies need to rent a limited number of vehicles to transport their cars. This fact leads to increased competition among customers who want to secure the transport slot they need, and as a result, the flexibility of the scheduling is sometimes affected. For instance, if a carrier is fully booked, the rate that was given to you might no longer be valid because of the competition for transport services that have led to the increase of the prices.
Why It Matters: Snap quotes might be unaware of the competition and the availability during the high season, implying that they can become invalid rather quickly or lead to a higher cost.
How to Handle It: Make a reservation early so that you can have the pickup and delivery dates that you want. If you decide to ship your car in the peak season, it is advisable that you be flexible with the dates so as not to incur extra costs.
How to Be Sure That Your Quotes Will Be Reliable During Peak Season
Even though instant quotes are perfectly good to preliminarily estimate the shipping cost of a car, they might not always be fully accurate during the peak season. The way to ensure that you get the best rate is as follows:
1. Make Your Quote Firm First
Because instant quotes rely on current data, the closest to your transport date, the lower will be your final quote. By making your quote firm first, you not only guarantee the rate you were quoted but also protect yourself against the rise in prices that occur during the peak season.
Advance booking: In case you are car shipping during the peak season, you better plan the shipment as early as possible.
2. Confirm the Fine Print
You should check with the transport company whether the rate given is an all-inclusive one without any additional charges such as a fuel surcharge, a terminal fee, or insurance. During a peak period, small “hidden” costs can make a large total very quickly.
Get a detailed breakdown: Let them provide you with a complete list of charges, including the ones that may be added later.
3. Consider Alternative Shipping Dates
If you are really in a hurry to send your car and still you want to have a better deal then you should be a bit more flexible with your dates. The shipping companies can give you a lower rate in the peak period but for the delivery at a less busy time.
Be flexible with dates: By slightly modifying your time table you may save a substantial amount of money.
4. Use Reputable Instant Quote Platforms
Be sure to utilize a transparent and reliable instant quote platform such as Car Shipping Instant Quotes that will provide you with current and true pricing. An authentic platform will offer you precise quotes and make sure that any changes during the peak season are clearly disclosed to you.
Select reliable platforms: Platforms that have relationships with several carriers give you access to the most competitive rates and allow you to compare different options.
Even though it’s quite handy to get instant quotes for auto shipping, it is still necessary to be aware of the accuracy and the lifespan of the quotes during the peak period. The reason is that the prices can change rapidly because of the higher demand, the fuel surcharge, and the availability of carriers. To make sure that you are getting the best possible rate, it is very important that you book early, be clear about the terms of your quote and be ready to ship on other dates.
We at Car Shipping Instant Quotes give you live, accurate quotes for planning your vehicle shipment, even during the peak period. Reach out to us for the latest and lowest rates in your auto transport and get ready to enjoy the ease of your delivery!
